Device for examining liquids



Oct. 18,1938. J KQLB 2,133,544

DEVICE FOR EXAMINING LIQUIDS Filed June 21, 1935 Fig: 5. Z

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INVENTOR Patented Oct. 18, 1938 2,133,544 DEVICE FOR. EXAMINING LIQUIDS John K. Kolb, Detroit, Mich. Application June 21, 1935, Serial No. 27,778

4 Claims.

The objects of my invention are to provide a readily portable means of quickly determining by visual inspection the condition of the motor oil of an internal combustion engine, and using a sample holder that is inexpensive and of such depressed lightly between the fingers, readily receiving a few drops of oil from the bayonet gauge which is stock equipment on motor cars, and eliminating the need of additional facilities to make the test.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the oil examiner, the dotted line indicating the position of the sample holder at the time of examination. Right and left halves of the oil examiner are similar.

Fig. 2 is a top view partly in section of the oil examiner.

Fig. 3 is an end view, as seen from the left of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows the sample holder.

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the sample holder when opened by slight pressure of the fingers.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, Figures 1, 2 and 3, the following description is similar for both right and left halves: The case I is a metal box, having a handle 2 at the top. At the back of the case are mounted two dry cells 3, insulated from the case I by insulating fiber 4. A metallic strip 5 attached to fiber insulation 4, is used as a conductor from one of the battery terminals. The insulating fiber partition 6 has a metallic strip 1 attached to it. This strip I is made in the shape of a right angle, forming a light spring contact at one end with strip 5, and extending downward to form a contact with the terminals of electric bulbs 8 and 9. These bulbs are threaded into reflectors I and II which are stamped out of a single piece I2, side extensions of which form a contact with case I, as at I2, Fig, 2. The sliding switch I3 is shown in its off or neutral position in Fig. 1. If moved to the left, the circuit is completed with the left battery and the two electric bulbs in the left half of the box are lighted. If moved to the right the two bulbs at the right, shown as 8 and 9, are lighted. The piece of ground glass I 4 is used to diffuse the light from the electric bulbs and also act as a support for the electric displays, as shown at I5, and also in front of electric bulb 9.

The contents of the case are held in place by the cover I6, which has openings above and I left sides. The lower shown at I5, for the Appropriate below at both the right and openings are rectangular, as aforementioned electric displays.

wording for the sign at the right, but not shown in the drawing: Clean oil reduces wear. The exact wording of either. sign is of no importance to the invention itself.

The upper openings in the cover I6 are circular and permit light to pass to the extensions I1,

which have slots I8 in their upper halves. dotted lines in Fig. 1 show the position of the sample holder when in position for examination, in the slot of the left extension. These extensions I1 are threaded to receive the adjustable,

members I9, which in turn hold the piano-convex lenses 20, held in position by stops 2|. 7

Referring particularly to Figures 4 and 5, the sample holder 23 is shown folded flat in Fig. 4. The shape and relative size of the sample holder may vary, but its preferred form is that shown in Fig. 4, because only a few drops of oil from the bayonet gauge are necessary to make; a splendid test. Fig. shows a top view of the sample holder when opened under slight pressure between the thumb and forefinger, providing a funnel opening. As previously stated, the sample holder is made of transparent material, such as Celluloid and provides an opportunity for any oil company that might sponsor the test, to display their insignia for advertising purposes, as in the central position 22.

In general, the operation of the tester has already been indicated. It is used principally to make a comparison between used oil and clean, unused oil. With the clean sample already installed, the operator has only to take the used oil sample from the bayonet gauge of the engine and insert the sample holder in the proper slot. By now moving the switch to the left, the light back of the used oil sample will at once make the color of the sample quite evident. Further, particles of dirt and other abrasive matter clingin to the side of the sample holder are plainly visible. If the switch is now moved to the other position, the light shines behind the clean sample and the comparison is rendered obvious. After use, the dirty oil sample can be disposed of, and a clean new sample holder used for the next test, eliminating the need of cleaning.

It is immaterial whether the illuminated displays be above or below the samples, and the arrangement of other parts may be changed or parts may be omitted without departing from the spirit or the invention as defined in the folple of the liquid to be examined comprising a lowing claims. pair of transparent, flexible walls connected to- I claim: gether along converging peripheral edges and 1. In combination with a device for visually having another portion of their peripheral edges examining liquids comprising a manually transseparable to form a normally closed mouth 5 portable case having an opening, illuminating through which liquid can be inserted into the means positioned within the case, a slot between holder, the said walls of the holder normally the opening and the illuminating means, and being held together due to the inherent flexia transparent sample holder comprising a pair bility of the said walls, the said walls being sepof separable transparent walls normally havarable by the application of edgewise pressure to ing a face to face contact connected along a porthe said walls to open said mouth whereby upon tion of their peripheral edges to iorm a holder release of said pressure the walls tend to come for the liquid to be examined, the unconnected together and spread the liquid into a thin film, edges of the said walls forming a mouth through the said converging edges of the holder engagwhich the liquid can be inserted into the holder ing the ends of the slot to support the holder in 5 when the walls are separated and spread out bethe case between the observation opening and the tween the walls into a thin light-transmitting illuminating means whereby light can be passed film whereby the holder and the liquid can be through the holder and-liquid and the liquid inserted in the said slot and light passed through visually examined.

the holder and liquid to permit visual examina- 4. In a device for examining liquids, a case tion of the said liquid. having an observation opening therein, illumi- 2. In a device for examining liquids, a case nating means within the case and a slot in a having an observation opening therein, illumiwall of the case between the illuminating means nating means within the case and a slot in a and the observation opening, aholder for a samwall of the case between the illuminating means ple of the liquid to be examined comprising a 5 and the observation opening, a transparent holdpair of transparent, flexible Celluloid walls norer for a sample of the liquid to be examined, mally having a face to face contact connected the said sample holder comprising a pair of tritogether along converging peripheral edges and angular yieldable transparent walls normally having another portion of their peripheral edges tending to have a face to face contact connected separable to form a mouth through which liqalong two of the converging edges and the other uid can be inserted into the holder, the said two edges forming an opening through which walls of the holder normally being held together the liquid can be inserted in the holder when due to the inherent flexibility Of the said walls, the walls are separated whereby the walls force the said walls being separable by the applicathe liquid into a thin film, the said converging tion of edgewise pressure to the said walls to 5 5 edges of the sample holder engaging the ends Op Said mouth whereby p release of Sa d of the slot to support the said holder during pressure the walls tend to come together and examination whereby light may be passed through spread the liquid into a h film, the sa d conthe transparent holder and liquid and the liquid verging edges of the holder engaging the ends visually examined. of the slot to support the holder in the case '40 3. In a device for examining liquids, a case between the observation opening and the illumihaving an observation opening therein, illuminating means whereby light can be passed nating means within the case and a slot in a through the holder and liquid and the liquid wall of the case between the illuminating means visually examined.

and the observation opening, a holder for a sam- JOHN K. KOLB. 

